Rob Collard will partner Jason Plato at Power Maxed Racing after the Vauxhall squad finalise their driver line-up for the 2019 British Touring Car Championship.
Collard's future in the series looked to be in some doubt at the end of last season after 15-time BTCC race winner parted company with West Surrey Racing following a nine-year stint with the BMW outfit.
The former Team BMW driver suffered a heavy shunt during Snetterton last year and was unable to take part in the four remaining meetings of the 2018 campaign on medical grounds.
However, Collard will make his return to racing in 2019 after inking a deal to drive the second of the Vauxhall Astras alongside two-time champion Plato.
Making a return to the FWD machinery for the first time since 2007, Collard says his hunger and desire 'is as strong as ever'.
“My hunger for racing and desire to win is as strong as ever. I’m delighted to form a new partnership with PMR to return to the BTCC in 2019," said Collard.
"I’ve watched their growth and development from day one and seen Adam and the team build a race-winning package that has gone from strength to strength.
"I’m very pleased to help build on that success, alongside an experienced team-mate in Jason. Returning to front wheel drive is a challenge I relish, particularly having won the independents title in a Vauxhall Astra in the past.
"As always, I’d like to thank all of my sponsors, particularly Duo and Hitachi Construction Machinery, for their continued support for my 2019 campaign.”
With the Vauxhall squad looking to build from a strong 2018 campaign, Power Maxed Racing team principal Adam Weaver admits signing Plato and Collard for 2019 has been 'surreal'.
“After our breakthrough year in 2018, we have been looking for a driver line up that not only matches our ambitions, but that also has the speed and experience to help us realise them," said Weaver.
"I am delighted that Rob has decided to join PMR to complete what I believe to be an incredibly strong driver line up.
"It is quite surreal for me as the two drivers we have signed are ones that I grew up watching, and are a big part of the reason I fell so in love with BTCC in the first place. Celebrating our eventual successes together are going to make all the hard work so worthwhile.”
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